NATIONAL PRECAST CONCRETE ASSOCIATION

Curing Wet-Cast
Precast Concrete
Tech Notes

ll of the beneficial properties of precast concrete,

including strength, durability and watertightness
are enhanced through proper curing techniques.
Unfortunately, the curing of precast concrete products is
one of the last and perhaps most neglected steps in the
manufacturing process, especially in a rapid production
environment.

Greater attention to curing yields

less permeable concrete (effect is
more pronounced with higher
w/c ratios

High

Strength

Permeability

Figure 1

Greater attention to
curing yields stronger
concrete

Low

Curing

Curing

Proper curing enhances impermeability and yields higher compressive strengths.

To support aggressive production schedules, most

Monitoring and controlling the humidity to limit

precast plants use greater cement content, admixtures

moisture loss from the fresh concrete. The

or other methods to accelerate normal curing times. In

primary object of curing is to prevent or replenish

addition, physical curing practices can also accelerate

the loss of necessary moisture during the early,

and enhance production by adhering to the two basic

relatively rapid stage of hydration.

precepts of proper curing:

Ambient temperatures are perhaps of greatest

Maintaining adequate moisture during the critical

importance. Higher temperatures accelerate the

hydration process. As a rule of thumb, a temperature

hydration period
Maintaining a favorable temperature to promote
full hydration. The lower the temperature, the
lower the rate of hydration. However, there is an
upper limit on the curing temperature.

increase of 18 F effectively doubles the hydration rate.

However, an elevated temperature in a low humidity
environment leads to the loss of needed water.
A primary goal of curing is to keep the concrete

Figure 1 illustrates the effect of curing practices on

saturated. It is critical to provide the appropriate

strength and permeability in wet-cast production.

temperature and maintain a relative humidity of 80%

in freshly placed concrete. Adequate curing is even

Basic Principles

more important when the water-cement ratio is

Simply stated, proper curing entails creating the

a moist environment. The prevention of water loss

low, since there is insufficient free water to provide

optimum environment to promote the hardening

or hydration of freshly cast concrete. Hydration is

helps ensure the strength of the concrete, leads to

decreased permeability, less plastic shrinkage and

the chemical process that ultimately binds cement

avoids other undesirable factors.

particles and aggregates into hardened concrete.

During prolonged hydration, the cement in the mix

Creating the optimum environment involves:

develops into a gel, which reduces the size of the

Monitoring and controlling the temperature of

the concrete and gradients (providing a favorable
temperature [50 to 90 F] under conventional
curing conditions and up to 140 F under lowpressure steam curing).
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concretes internal voids and greatly increases the

watertightness of the concrete. For this reason,
prolonged hydration through curing is a significant
factor in attaining impermeable, watertight concrete.
Keeping steel forms engaged for as long as possible

Curing enclosures used to maintain temperature and moisture.

can be an excellent means of protecting against loss of

potential for self desiccation. This method is also not

moisture.

recommended for concretes containing pozzolans.

Conventional curing and low-pressure steam curing are

Polyethylene sheeting should be at least 4 milliliters

two of the more common methods of curing precast

thick and should be applied to the concrete as soon as

concrete products.

the concrete has hardened sufficiently. Sheets should

be lapped (about 18 inches) and weighted, as needed.

Conventional Curing

All exposed surfaces, including exposed edges and

Conventional curing involves the continuous saturation

Curing compounds should be sprayed uniformly on

of the concrete surface with water for a specified

surfaces as soon as the water shine disappears but

length of time, starting as soon as the concrete

when the surface is still moist enough to ensure

is no longer susceptible to damage at ambient

adequate performance (1-3 hours after concrete

temperatures. These conditions can be achieved by

placement). Curing compounds should be stirred

draping wet burlap or cotton mats, spraying, fogging or

or agitated as needed before spraying. Curing

membrane curing.

compounds should be applied in two directions

joints, must be protected against moisture evaporation.

If spraying or fogging is done at intervals, the concrete

must be prevented from drying between applications.
When burlap or cotton mats are used, they should
be kept moist. Alternate cycles of wetting and drying
can cause surface crazing or cracking. For low watercement ratios wet curing is highly desirable.
Membrane curing is another method of conventional
curing using polyethylene sheeting, curing compounds
or similar material. With membrane curing, external
water is not used in the curing process. This method
should be used with caution for products with watercement ratios less than 0.5, however, due to the
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(vertically and horizontally) to ensure full coverage and

should not be thinned or otherwise modified. Curing
compounds are available in clear and colored (white)
formulations. Colored formulations are easier for
verifying full coverage.

Low-Pressure Steam Curing

Low-pressure steam curing adds moisture and
increases the temperature, which are important factors
that accelerating the curing process. Both result in an
increased rate of hydration.

175

Temperature (F)

140

Steaming Time
Controlled
Heating

Controlled
Cooling

105
70

Subsequent
Curing or Storage

Pre-steaming
Period

35

2 4 6 8 10 12
Time (H)

Figure 2: The wet-cast curing cycle.

Low-pressure steam curing can be performed in

concrete to the ambient temperature without

an enclosed permanent structure or in a temporary

causing distress.

enclosure formed by a heavy tarp.

2. Start with concrete that is as warm as possible

To achieve the best results when steam curing:

1. Apply elevated temperatures after the initial set
of the fresh concrete. This is usually a period of 2
to 4 hours.
2. Apply a gradual temperature rise of not more
than 40 F/hr, up to a maximum temperature
between 120 F and 140 F.
3. Maintain a relative humidity between 75-90%
4. Gradually lower the temperature at a rate not
to exceed 20 F per hour to avoid any thermal
shock. Moisture evaporates very quickly from
a hot surface and the durability to weathering
and atmosphere will be detrimentally affected.

and ensure that all plant equipment is warm

at the start of concreting. Where hot water is
used, it should be added and mixed into the
aggregates. Cement should be added as the final
ingredient.
3. When the concrete product has thin sections
with openings, maximum temperatures may
need to be decreased. Excessive temperature
can result in excess loss of water.
4. Assess the applicability and performance of
admixtures under accelerated curing conditions.
Practices recommended under normal
temperature curing may not be applicable.

Too rapid an evaporation rate at low humidity

Details on other accelerated curing methods can be

will cause the surface to dry out and produce a

found in ACI 517.2R, Accelerated Curing of Concrete at

concrete structure that has a permeable, poorly

Atmospheric Pressure.

cured surface with relatively poor durability.

5. Continue moist curing after steaming, as needed.

Other methods or techniques for accelerated curing:

1. Molds and form work should be left on as long

Special Conditions
Special precautions are needed when the temperature
is either below 50 F or above 90 F. Hydration proceeds
at a much slower rate when the concrete temperature

as possible. When stripped, the concrete should

is low. Temperatures below 50 F are considered

be covered, preferably with wet burlap. The

unfavorable. Ideally, precast concrete operations

prime goal is to decrease the temperature of the

should be performed in heated enclosures that will

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provide uniform heat to the products. In these cases,

it is common practice to heat the mixing water and

Conclusion

even the aggregate if necessary. Water should not

be heated above 140 F. Further recommendations on

Curing, particularly within the first few hours after

cold weather concreting are included in ACI 306, Cold

concrete placement, is one of the most important

Weather Concreting.

factors in manufacturing top quality precast concrete

Hydration rates are accelerated when the temperature

products. Properly cured precast concrete will achieve

is higher. When the ambient temperature is above 90

both superior early strength and long-term strength.

F, the temperature of the concrete as mixed should

Properly cured precast concrete products are also less

be kept as low as possible by shading the aggregate

permeable, more durable and display greater surface

piles. Sprinkling aggregates with water will cool them

hardness.

by evaporation. In extreme cases, ice may be used

in the mix water. In all cases, freshly cast products
should be protected from the direct sunlight. Further
recommendations on hot weather concreting are
included in ACI 305, Hot Weather Concreting.

References
ACI 305R-10, Hot Weather Concreting
ACI 306R-10, Cold Weather Concreting
Gowripalan, N., et al Effect of Curing on Durability, ACI, Durable Concrete, 1994
Kosmatka, Steven H. and Panarese, William C. Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 15th edition, Portland
Cement Association
Mindess, Sidney and Young, Francis T., Concrete, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J. 1981
Neville, A.M., Properties of Concrete 4th edition, Wiley & Sons, New York, 1996

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information, however the National Precast
Concrete Association does not guarantee the validity or accuracy of any data, claim or opinion appearing in
this publication. If engineering, legal or other professional services are required, the services of a competent
professional should be obtained. The National Precast Concrete Association does not assume and hereby disclaims
liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions in this publication, regardless of
whether such errors result from negligence, accident or any other cause whatsoever.

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April 2013